The 2010 Small Business Week Finalists have been Chosen!

RBC Small Business of the Year Award Finalists:

As a family owned business, Little Rock Document Services Ltd. is a full service digital print shop, offering a range of print products specializing in small and large format digital print. The main focus derives from two components, a facility management and a print production facility. Little Rock’s main focus is on the delivery of quality-controlled products and services in environments that demand fast turnaround at competitive pricing. Little Rock Document Service Ltd. has a depth of resources and equipment, as well as great attention to quality control, allowing them to focus attention to each day’s prioritized set of jobs.

Groundswell provides strategic consulting and tactical delivery services for software integration to clients. With 65 employees and more than 40 long-term contractors, they help organizations reach their potential by bringing their systems together and getting them working as one. As a result, these organizations have improved their operational efficiency, reduced their costs and accelerated their performance. Since their incorporation in 2001 Groundswell has maintained focus on software integration and today is the largest niche player in Western Canada, if not in Canada. Groundswell has grown and evolved in service offering to encompass integration ‘Co-sourcing’, Groundswell’s own model for outsourcing.

Established in 1981 by Robert and Susan Watts, Watts Mechanical Services Ltd. is a family owned company and a leading provider of plumbing and HVAC/R for commercial, industrial, retail & residential customers. Watt’s specializes in new construction, tenant improvement and building maintenance and has more than 4,300 projects under their tool belt. With long-term relationships providing the cornerstone of their business, it is through knowledge and passion that Watts has built themselves into a leader in their field, including having been named the fastest growing company in Alberta by Alberta Venture Magazine and is one of the 2009 & 2010 top 50 fastest growing companies in Canada by Profit 100.

Emerging Enterprise of the Year Award Finalists:

organicKidz was founded in 2008, out of a desire to provide children and parents with the safest and greenest  drinking containers for children.  They created the world’s first stainless steel baby bottles, unbreakable and free of BPA, PVC and Phthalates.  They’re easy to hold, hard to damage, light weight and dishwasher safe.  organicKidz™ Baby Bottles are naturally bacteria resistant, convert to Sippy Cups and shortly to Water Bottles. organicKidz™ bottles are made of Stainless Steel, and are 100% recyclable.  In addition to being sold in over 30 countries around the world, organicKidz has won many major industry awards as well as being named Disneyfamily.com’s Top Green and Organic Product.

Quick Lube Plus has been an oil change operation for about 20 years. However, the new owners took over in the spring of 2008, fixed it up and opened the doors in September 2008. Quick Lube Plus has three bays and nine employees. In an industry dominated by big players, Quick Lube Plus has thrived and survived.  From the waiting area to the bathroom to the bays and the underground area where work is done on vehicles, there is a sense that keeping things orderly is a natural way of operating for Quick Lube Plus. Besides oil changes, Quick Lube Plus also offers a number of different maintenance services such as full driveline, transmission flush and fill, coolant flush, de-carbonization/emission service, power steering flush.

Calgary Small Business Week 2010 is a celebration of entrepreneurship that provides a one-stop shop event for starting and growing small business. The features of this event include a tradeshow, keynote luncheon speakers and an Awards Celebration to recognize the winners of the RBC Small Business of the Year and the Emerging Enterprise of the Year awards.

2010 Small Business Week runs October 18 – 22.

The RBC Small Business of the Year Award and the Emerging Enterprise of the Year Award are presented each year to people whose achievements and contributions to their community have distinguished them among their peers.

RBC Small Business of the Year Award

Since 1982 The Calgary Chamber of Commerce has been presenting this prestigious RBC Small Business of the Year Award to local business owners.  A qualified independent panel of judges review nominations. To be eligible the nominee must be an Alberta resident owner-manager, for at least three years, of a business whose major activity takes place within Alberta and employs less than 100 people.

Emerging Enterprise of the Year Award Finalists:

Since 1998 The Calgary Chamber of Commerce has been presenting this esteemed honour to a local emerging business. To be eligible, the nominee must be an Alberta resident owner-manager and the business must be in operation less than three years, located in Calgary, and employ 10 or less people. The awards are presented annually during the Calgary Small Business Week Expo.

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce would like to thank our 2010 Sponsors:

A look into last year...

Small Business Week is a celebration of entrepreneurship that provides an annual opportunity for start-up and growing small business to learn and grow. Join us for the annual week-long celebration.

SIGNATURE SMALL BUSINESS WEEK EVENTS

Small Business Awards Gala Dinner

Celebrate the six nominees for the RBC Small Business of the Year Award and the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and be there when the winners are announced. The gala evening includes a champagne reception and dazzling meal.On Tuesday Oct. 19th, come join us to find out the winners!

Keynote Luncheon

Previous guest speakers have included the Hon. Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism; and Arlene Dickinson of Venture Communications (and one of CBC's Dragons on the Dragon's Den). Stay tuned for this year's guest.

NETWORKING

Business After Hours

The monthly Business After Hours is the Chamber's premier networking event. The BAH during Small Business Week is always one of the best attended, with many booth and many visitors.This year BAH will be held at the Metropolitan Centre, downtown Calgary. Please register here.

For more information, please visit our Small Business Week FAQs or contact our Events Department. For sponsorship information, please contact Anna Stacheychuk in the Events department at 750-0432.